Politics
Battle To Stop PDP Presidential Primary Election Shifts To Appeal Court

The legal battle seeking to stop the conduct of the Presidential Primary Election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has shifted to the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
A chieftain of the party, Rt Hon Cosmos Chukwudi Ndukwe had dragged the PDP’S Primary Election Planning Committee Chairman, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu and others before a Federal High Court in Abuja praying that the planned election be stopped.
His grouse was premissed on his disqualification from participating in the presidential primary election on the ground of anti-party activity.
The aggrieved PDP chieftain had in addition to his originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/508/2022, filed an ex-parte application for an order to restrain the PDP from going ahead with the primary election until his suit has been fully determined.
However, on April 28, Justice Donatus Okorowo in a ruling on the ex-parte application refused to grant the request of the plaintiff.
The Judge, however, ordered the PDP and its Primary Election Planning Committee to appear before the court to show cause on why the primary election should not be stopped at the instance of the suit of the plaintiff.
However, dissatisfied with the Federal High Court’s decision, the Primary Election Planning Committee Chairman filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal praying that the order of Justice Okorowo be set aside.
Among others, the appellant, (Senator Anyanwu) claimed that the Judge errerd in law by denying him fair hearing in breach of section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
READ ALSO: Why PDP May Lose 2023 Presidential Election Revealed
He asserted that the originating summon of the plaintiff was not ripe for hearing and that the time for him to file counter affidavit against the suit had not lapsed when the Judge gave the order.
The appellant claimed that the court erred in law when it failed to aver its mind to the provision of Section 84 (15) of the Electoral Act, 2022, before making the order to show cause.
Senator Anyanwu further asserted that the Judge erred in not directing the plaintiff to put him (Anyanwu) on notice but rather, directed him to show cause on an ex-parte application anchored on an incompetent originating summons.
He, therefore, asked the Court of Appeal to void and set aside the order of the Federal High Court of April 28 asking him to show cause why the primary election should not be stopped.
Apart from Ndukwe, other respondents in the appeal are the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st to 4th respondents, respectively.
Politics
Full Text Of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s Statewide Broadcast

My dear good people of Rivers State:
Recall that Rivers State was placed under a six-month emergency rule, declared by Mr. President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the 18th of March, 2025, following the intense political crisis in our State.
2. It is without doubt that the last six months had been enormously challenging for our dear State under the emergency rule.
3. As your Governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.
4. This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of a state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions, and all other actions that we endured during this difficult period.
5. In the course of the six-month period, Mr. President graciously brokered the peace process with all the parties successfully. Our Leader, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and I, as your Governor, have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear Rivers State.
6. We believe the political crisis is now behind us and that peace and stability have once again returned to Rivers State, though not without the hard lessons learnt from the emergency rule.
READ ALSO:BREAKING: 24hrs After, Fubara Finally Arrives Port Harcourt
7. The responsibility now rests squarely on us: the Government, the State House of Assembly, political leaders and stakeholders to put aside our differences, work for the common good, and advance the interests of our people above all else. We have a duty to ensure that the peace we have all embraced remains permanent in our dear Rivers State.
8. On behalf of the Government and the good people of Rivers State, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. President for his fatherly disposition and decisive interventions in resolving the political crisis and for graciously restoring full democratic governance to our State.
9. Personally, I will never take Mr. President’s kindness for granted, and for that, I hereby reaffirm my utmost loyalty and eternal gratitude.
10. To those who have expressed genuine fears, frustrations, and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood. However, nothing has been irretrievably lost; there remains ample opportunity for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness. We must all remember the saying ” the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war”.
11. Accordingly, let us, therefore, embrace this moment as a fresh beginning. Let us work together with renewed hope and determination to build a stronger, more peaceful and prosperous Rivers State. I assure you that we will continuously work towards ensuring that we carry everyone along.
READ ALSO:Fubara To Address Rivers Today
12. Despite the turbulence, you are aware of the credible milestones our administration achieved in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors over the last two years.
13. Our immediate responsibility is to return to the path of governance and development by completing the projects which we started by ensuring none of them is starved of funds or neglected, thereby reviving our economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the wellbeing of all Rivers people.
14. I commit to working harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost grounds and accelerate the social and economic advancement of our dear State. I also renew my pledge to serve with the fear of God, humility and a high sense of duty.
15. I wish to sincerely thank you, the resilient people of Rivers State, for your patience, courage, and peaceful conduct during the six months of emergency rule.
16. I also extend appreciation to all stakeholders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, political actors, women groups, youths, concerned citizens at home and abroad, and well-wishers whose prayers and support sustained us through the challenging period.
READ ALSO:PHOTO: Rivers Residents Throng Govt House To Welcome Fubara
17. Above all, let us draw strength from our shared identity as Rivers people. Our diversity is our greatest asset, and our unity the strongest guarantee of our future. We must rise above bitterness and division and channel our energies into rebuilding trust, fostering inclusiveness, and securing a peaceful and prosperous State for all.
18. Once again, I thank and appreciate our Father, Mr President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his timely intervention and dedication to ensuring the restoration of peace and stability in our State.
19. 1 also thank our Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for committing to the prompt resolution of the political impasse in the State.
20. I also wish to express my profound thanks to the President of the Senate His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency Dr. Abbas Tajudeen; and the distinguished members of the National Assembly for the role they all played in the resolution of the matter.
21. I thank the Honourable Speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, respected elders, stakeholders and all concerned citizens for working together to resolve our differences and ensuring peace and harmony in our State.
22. Finally, I call on all citizens of Rivers State, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliation, to join hands in rebuilding our beloved State and securing a future of dignity and progress for everyone. In all, I give glory to the Almighty God.Thank you all.
May God bless Rivers State and all its people. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Politics
Fubara To Address Rivers Today

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, will address the state in a broadcast at 6:00 pm today, marking his return after the suspension of the emergency rule.
Upon arriving at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Fubara said he was deeply moved by the warm welcome from the people.
He noted that the broadcast would serve as a platform to appreciate stakeholders who were instrumental in restoring peace and stability to the state
Fubara said, “I am humbled by what I saw at the airport. I was also briefed about what happened here yesterday. That reception really humbled me. It shows love, confidence, and solidarity. It is not just a celebration.
READ ALSO:Rivers: Supporters Disappointed As Fubara Fails To Show Up
“The massive reception by the number of people who came out to celebrate is a reaffirmation of the bond between this government and the people that we are serving.
“I want to assure you that we will continue to do those things that have made you people love us. I want to appreciate everyone and to say that we love you.
“We are going to address the state officially by 6:00 pm, and in that broadcast, every authority that gave support to this normalcy will be properly recognized.”
Politics
VIDEO: How Amaechi Ordered General Saham To Assassinate Me – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that a military general ordered his assassination during the 2019 general elections.
Wike revealed this during an interview with Channels Television on Thursday.
According to him, the directive came from the Minister of Transportation at the time, Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike also alleged that many of the opposition governors who now complain of persecution have not faced the kind of threats he endured while in office.
READ ALSO: Wike Gives Update On Rivers Emergency Rule Expires Date
“General Saham, former General Officer Commanding 6 Division, tried to kill me.
“Amaechi promised to make him the next Chief of Staff.
“General Saham ordered that I should be shot. When I heard that he is now in the NSA office, I refused to go there.
“General Saham ordered that as a sitting governor that I should be shot. And when the Colonel refused, he was detained for six months.”
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